Comments on: Mining for gold in your database http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/2010/01/31/mining-for-gold-in-your-database/ Providing expert help for the professional fundraiser Fri, 04 Jun 2010 13:23:59 -0600 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.5 hourly 1 By: Connie http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/2010/01/31/mining-for-gold-in-your-database/comment-page-1/#comment-182 Connie Tue, 16 Feb 2010 17:58:49 +0000 http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/?p=459#comment-182 Barbara, The two most important fields the donor should be queried on are date of gift and amount of gift. The third thing is motivation, or the reason for their gift. For example, did the donor give because they feel strongly about helping out your scholarship fund, or did they donate to a new program? There are many good companies offering software to help nonprofits manage donations. Here are two that we're familiar with. thedatabank, inc. offers Web-based technology. An advantage of that is that you don't need to actually buy the software and pay for software upgrades. In addition, training and support are free. http://www.thedatabank.com/ If you're looking for a local solution, you might be interested in Brisbane Consulting Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, certified public accountants and advisors. They can integrate your donor management and accounting software. http://briscon.com/ Let them know we sent you! Barbara,
The two most important fields the donor should be queried on are date of gift and amount of gift. The third thing is motivation, or the reason for their gift. For example, did the donor give because they feel strongly about helping out your scholarship fund, or did they donate to a new program?

There are many good companies offering software to help nonprofits manage donations. Here are two that we’re familiar with.

thedatabank, inc. offers Web-based technology. An advantage of that is that you don’t need to actually buy the software and pay for software upgrades. In addition, training and support are free.
http://www.thedatabank.com/

If you’re looking for a local solution, you might be interested in Brisbane Consulting Group, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Lumsden & McCormick, LLP, certified public accountants and advisors. They can integrate your donor management and accounting software.
http://briscon.com/

Let them know we sent you!

]]> By: barbara wenke http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/2010/01/31/mining-for-gold-in-your-database/comment-page-1/#comment-178 barbara wenke Sat, 13 Feb 2010 21:47:35 +0000 http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/?p=459#comment-178 what do recommend in setting up the database as the projected field for the potential donor to be queried on? Also what type of dbase do you use or recommend? what do recommend in setting up the database as the projected field for the potential donor to be queried on? Also what type of dbase do you use or recommend?

]]> By: Connie http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/2010/01/31/mining-for-gold-in-your-database/comment-page-1/#comment-176 Connie Tue, 09 Feb 2010 21:20:47 +0000 http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/?p=459#comment-176 Blaise, Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment! You've added some excellent points that our readers should appreciate! Connie Blaise,
Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment! You’ve added some excellent points that our readers should appreciate!
Connie

]]> By: Blase Ciabaton http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/2010/01/31/mining-for-gold-in-your-database/comment-page-1/#comment-175 Blase Ciabaton Tue, 09 Feb 2010 02:24:55 +0000 http://www.fundraisingassets.com/blog/?p=459#comment-175 Very important points-thanks for sharing! Segmenting also makes the message more relevant to the target audience because it is more about them! Additionally, segmentation provides a cost effective way to do a campaign even for those who can't afford to mail to their entire database (just pick a segment!). Finally, incorporating variable data in campaigns has become very affordable, and this allows for segmentation on the fly; for instance, text can automatically be adjusted for each donor to reference the amount of their last donation, and automatically request twice the amount. Research confirms that segmentation and personalization lead to higher conversion rates. Very important points-thanks for sharing! Segmenting also makes the message more relevant to the target audience because it is more about them! Additionally, segmentation provides a cost effective way to do a campaign even for those who can’t afford to mail to their entire database (just pick a segment!). Finally, incorporating variable data in campaigns has become very affordable, and this allows for segmentation on the fly; for instance, text can automatically be adjusted for each donor to reference the amount of their last donation, and automatically request twice the amount. Research confirms that segmentation and personalization lead to higher conversion rates.

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